Eindhoven

City in the southeastern part of Northern Brabant. Eindhoven obtained municipal rights in 1232 from Duke Henry I of Brabant. Before 1629—during the Dutch Revolt—it changed hands between the Dutch and Spanish several times. The textile and tobacco industries, and in particular the Philips Electronics and DAF facto ries, caused an explosive growth of Eindhoven after 1900. During World WarII, the historic center was severely damaged. At present, Eindhoven has about 210,000 inhabitants, while many others live in the surrounding metropolitan area. The Technical University is one the main research centers in the Netherlands and the Van Abbe Museum is famous for its modern art.